Highland Prepares for biggest ever Bookstart Day
The Highland Council has announced details of their participation in Bookstart in Scotland Day, Thursday 15th May 2008, when thousands of young children across the country will join in with Scotland’s Biggest Bookstart Rhymetime, to help raise awareness of the benefits that early book and music sharing can bring.
Babies, toddlers and their parents throughout the area are invited to gather at free Bookstart Rhymetimes sessions, where at 11am they will join families across Scotland in singing exactly the same songs and reading exactly the same book at exactly the same time. Anyone wishing to take part should contact their local library to find a session near them or come along to join in the fun at Eden Court in the Jim Love Studio. Events are all free but tickets are required for the session in Eden Court and are available by contacting the box office on 01463 234234.
The theme of Music has been selected for this year’s Bookstart in Scotland Day in order to highlight the Bookstart Rhymetimes Training Project currently running in many local authorities throughout Scotland, which has the overall aim of providing access to Bookstart Rhymetimes for all parents.
Chairman of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Service, Councillor Bill Fernie said: “ Highland Libraries are delighted to be taking part in this excellent opportunity which enables us to host over 200 Bookstart Rhymetime sessions in libraries and early years settings.”
Bookstart Rhymetimes are fun, free sessions for birth – 3 year olds and their parents. Usually held in libraries or other community venues throughout the area, they incorporate a mix of modern and classic rhymes, songs, movement and books. Children who enjoy an early introduction to books and music have better language and listening skills, greater emotional and social development and are much more likely to be eager and confident learners when they start school.
Included in the day’s song list will be Humpty Dumpty, announced by Bookstart earlier this month as The Highland Council’s all-time favourite rhyme. A prize will also be awarded to the lucky winner of the favourite rhyme competition.
Bookstart works with libraries, health visitors and early years professionals to give the gift of free books to every child at around eight weeks, eighteen months and three years of age, along with guidance materials for parents and carers. Bookstart also aims to foster a love of books through a range of fun activities like Bookstart Rhymetimes and the Bookstart Book Crawl. If you believe you have missed out on any of your Bookstart packs, ask your health visitor or local library for details, or visit www.bookstart.org.uk